1. GO FOR GLITZ AND GLAM
'There really is no such thing as too much glitz and glamor, so channel your inner maximalist and set the table with everything from twinkling fairy lights to daring decorations, gorgeous glassware, and as many candles as you can find,' suggests Lucy St George.
2. ADD SOME DARK DRAMA
Grey and black can create a statement Christmas tablescape that also invokes a cozy ambiance. You can add a little extra luxe and glamor by including splashes of gold into the scheme, too. Alison Howell, Design and Development Manager at Burleigh, says: 'The kitsch Christmas red, gold, and green can look wonderful but, for simplicity, keeping to just one color, perhaps a darker grey or black, is just as effective.'
3. WORK TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS COLORS
'Introduce a splash of festive color by threading some holly or mistletoe through your centerpiece for a subtle yet seasonal touch,' suggests Louise Wicksteed, creative director at Sims Hilditch. You can add red candles for an extra pop of color, or keep it serene with white.
4. OPT FOR NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL
Make like interior designer Susie Atkinson and keep things simple and natural this Christmas. She says: 'I feel less is more with the Christmas table decorations and I like it to be as natural looking as possible using foliage from my garden. 'It’s worth remembering that after you have laid the table with cutlery, crockery, glassware, condiments plus the bread sauce, Cranbury sauce, and gravy etc. there is not much room left.'
5. EMBRACE A KITSCH AND COLORFUL LOOK
Opt for brightly colored baubles and paper honeycombs as an alternative to a traditional centerpiece of foliage, plants or flowers. ‘Always have a bit of fun with your festive table setting; it doesn’t have to be overly elaborate, but color is a good place to start,' says Sue Jones, OKA Co-Founder and Creative Director. 'Christmas decorations aren’t just for the tree – try arranging bold-colored baubles in the center of your table, mixed in with silver-sprayed fir cones and colorful glassware to make it even more vibrant.'
6. USE A CLUSTER OF PRETTY VASES
Rich, jewel-toned glass vases are the perfect vessels to create a stunning Christmas table centerpiece. 'With a newfound appreciation for the finer, more decorative details at home, particularly when decorating for the festive season, there has been a huge surge in popularity for vases as centerpieces,' says Helen Pett, Design Ambassador at Arteriors London.
7. DECORATE A CANDELABRA
'If you can’t go all-out for the holidays then when can you?' says the king of modern glamor, Jonathan Adler. 'Think of your home like an outfit your eccentric, rich aunt might wear and layer, layer, layer. Add gold, sparkle, and baubles. As long as you start with a chic foundation it will work.'
8. BRANCH OUT
If your dining table is on the petite side and you don't want to take up too much room with a magnificent yet space-saturating Christmas table centerpiece, why not take it a little higher and create a hanging centerpiece instead?
9. BE BOWL-ED OVER
Your festive table deserves to be the star of the show for the biggest meal of the year. Drama and decadence will spread joy as you welcome family and friends, but you can create a magical table centerpiece without it being too elaborate.
10. CHANNEL A RUSTIC COUNTRY VIBE
Use earthy textures like wicker and linen to create a tablescape that oozes organic and rustic appeal. Neptune's stylist Ailie Williams, who created the beautiful centerpiece above, says: 'When it comes to designing your table for the festive season, consider using lots of different textures such as linens, woven baskets, and matte plates to create warmth and interest.
11. OOZE A FUNKY BAROQUE AESTHETIC
Channel a fun, maximalist look with a richly colored baroque style for your Christmas tablescape. Geraldine Florin, Artistic Director at Maisons du Monde, says: 'Create a festive table that brings guests together in a playful atmosphere. Like a box of curiosities, exotic chic prints and lively colors are a must, punctuated with touches of fuchsia.
12. CREATE A CENTERPIECE WITH A WREATH AS YOUR BASE
Wreaths are not just for hanging... get inventive with yours and use one as a base to create an easy yet impactful Christmas table centerpiece.
13. MAKE A BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT WITH FLOWERS
Bring joy and an uplifting color palette to your home with a vibrant floral display as a Christmas table centerpiece. Zoe Marie Williams, Head of Creative at Bloom & Wild says: 'Rather than going for multiples of the same bouquet, mix and match for a pretty variety of different stems and color palettes.